Velocipede



Patented Apr. 8, 1890.

VELOGIPEDE.

J. L. PERSON.

(No Model.)

N. PETERS. PhomLn'm n hur, Washingtum DC.

UNITED STATES PATENT UEEICE.

JAMES L. FERSON, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,965, dated April 8, 1890.

Application filed September 5, 1889 Serial No. 323,100. (No model.)

8 To all whom it may concern: 4

Be it known that I, JAMES L. FERSON, a citizenof the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 shows a longitudinal vertical section of my improved vehicle. Fig. 2 shows a top plan with bottom of carriage frame broken away to show driving mechanism beneath. Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of coggearing and treadle.

My invention relates to that class of vehicles in which the propelling-power is supplied by the occupant or occupants; and the object of the invention is to produce a vehicle requiring no skill to operate and adapted to the use of the old as well as the young. This object I think I have attained by the vehicle herein described, which, so far as safety of seat is concerned, possesses all the advantages of the ordinary driving-buggy.

The novel feature of my device is that the power is transmitted through a rotary propelling-shaft formed of a series of cam-like arms located at the forward part of the vehicle .to the rear of and somewhat above the plane of the ordinary front axle, and adapted to engage a series of oscillating levers connected to the rear axle of the vehicle by a series of parallel connecting-rods and by slidin g downwardly on said levers from the point of contact toward the fulcrum thereof cause the same to oscillate upon the shaft on which they swing, whereby the rear axle of said vehicle is rotated.

I will now more specifically describe my invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which A is the body or frame of the vehicle, which is mounted upon the'wheels B B B B. Near the rear end of said frame and immediately in front of the seat 0 are foot-treadles a a, which are adapted to operate the large spur gear-wheels b 0, respectively, which are journaled in the supports or housings (Z a, respectively, which are suitably secured to the bottom of said frame.

f and g are shafts, the lower and upper ends of which, respectively, are suitably connected to the forward ends of either of said treadles, respectively, and to the crank-pins h h, arranged eccentrically upon said spur-wheels, respectively.

c 2' are respectively small spur gear-wheels suitably journaled in said housings d and 6, respectively, and mesh with and receive mo tion from the large spur-gears b and 0, respectively.

7c and L are connecting-rods, the inner ends of which, respectively, are suitably attached to the crank-pins m and a upon the disks 0 and p, which are rigidly secured upon the inner ends of the shafts, respectively, upon which said small spur-wheels m are mounted. The outer ends of said connecting-rods, respectively, are suitably connected to the cranks q r of the rotary propelling-shaft D, which is formed of a series of long cam-like arms 8 s s s s s s s, eight in number, either of which is adapted to engage and slide upon one of a corresponding number of oscillating levers t t t t t t t i, which are loosely pivoted upon the horizontal shaft to, journaled in the sides of the frame of said vehicle. To the lower end of said levers, respectively, are suitably connected a corresponding number of parallel horizontal connecting-rods 'v o o o o o 'v o, the rear ends of which are suitably connected, respectively, to a series of cranks w w w w w w w won the rear axle, whereby said axle, which is suitably supported in bearings formed in the hounds of the vehicle, (not shown,) is caused to rotate by the oscillatory movement of said levers. The cranks on said rear axle are shorter and have less throw than the'cam=-like arms of the propellingshaft. The wheels B B on said rear axle are rigidly secured thereon and rotate with said axle. The periphery of said wheels may be surrounded with heavy gum tires, or, if necessary, may be provided with teeth similar to a tr'actiomwheel to secure sufficient purchase to propel said vehicle.

a: is a small hand-wheel suitably secured upon the top of the short vertical shaft w. To the lower end of said shaft are suitably connected the inner ends of the rods 3 7 respectively, the outer ends of which are attached to either end of the front axle y a short distance from the wheels to enable the occupant to guide the course of the vehicle by operating the hand-wheel in a manner similar to a tiller-wheel.

is a brake'lever, the lower end of which is suitably connected to the brake-rods ,2 2, whereby said brakes e .2 may be applied.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. In a vehicle, substantially as described, the eomlnnation of a propelling-shaft formed of a series of earn-like arms and means to retate the same, adapted to operate a series of oscillating levers connected to the rear axle,

formed of a series of cranks, snbstantiallya and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a Vehicle, substantially as described, the combination of a propelling-shaft journaled in the sides of the forward part of said vehicle and formed of a series of cam-like arms and means to rotate the same, adapted to engage a series of oscillating levers eonneeted to the rear axle of said vehicle, formed of a series of cranks, whereby said axle is caused to rotate,snbstantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I elaim the foregoing I hereunto affix my signature this 30th day of August, A. I). 1889.

JAMES L. FERSON. 

